(Bat) A Feeling of Pain - 2

>Day When Angels Cry in Equestria.
>The clock hanging on the wall of the inn read 7AM.
>You sit up and shake Speck lightly.
"Hey, wake up."
>She groans and hides her face in her pillow.
"Speck, come on. We're gonna be late."
>You get up and start throwing your clothes on.
>Speck rolls over and throws the covers over her head.
>Her voice is muffled by the pillow as she speaks.
>You can't make it out.
"We need to go, Speck."
>She kicks the covers off of her and throws her pillow at you.
>"But I'm tiiiired."
>She crawls across the bed and looks up at you, smiling.
>Her dull orange eyes glow in the dimly lit room.
>"Carry me."
>What.
"What?"
>"Carry me to the train so I can sleep longer."
>You aren't doing that.
"No."
>She pouts and her eyes start to water.
>You look away before she manages to beat you.
>"Pleaaaase, Anon?"
>You can hear her bat her eyes at you.
"Still no."
>She sniffles softly and starts to cry.
>You still refuse to cave.
>"Anon... I t-thought you loved me..."
>You're not going to cave.
>You walk over to your bags and pick them up, slinging them over your shoulder.
>She will not win this battle.
>You get ready to head out the door, knowing she'll follow as soon as you do.
>You make the mistake of looking back.
>She lays there with her hooves over her eyes, sobbing.
>You're better than this.
>Caving is not an option.
>You walk over to her.
>She sniffles and looks up at you, holding her forelegs out.
>"Please?"

>Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
>You caved, and are now walking out of the inn with Speck clinging to your chest.
>Hind legs wrapped around your mid-torso, forelegs wrapped around your neck.
>Her head rests on your shoulder and she snores into your neck.
>The innkeeper stifles a giggle, and you wish every other creature you passed was just as courteous.
>But no, that would mean luck was on your side.
>Several gryphons recognize you from the bar last night.
>They yell things at you.
>Things you wish you would never have to hear.
>"Woo! Get some!"
>"Bet you fed her more meat than you ate last night, eh?"
>"You're really cute together! Maybe you should be a couple!"
>You stop and stare at the third gryphon.
>His friends stare at him.
>"W-what? I'm just saying."
>You shake your head and continue on, the first two gryphons dragging their buddy down an alley.
>You feel for them.
>You'd do the same thing if a friend of yours said something like that.
>Speck stirs a little.
>She nuzzles deeper into your neck.
>What are you going to do with this p0ny?
>Oh, right.
>Give her the best time of her life, and take her to see her mother.
>You never got the fortune teller's words out of your mind.
>Something felt wrong.
>A great battle?
>That could be it.
>Equestria has been in an era of peace.
>Not even the diamond dogs or dragons were causing any trouble.
>You doubt that a war would break out.
>But some sort of surprise invasion?
>It wasn't entirely implausible.
>There's no telling what you might do if something like that happens.
>And she... dies.
>You swallow hard and start thinking about something else that was said.

>You walk into the train station.
>The fortune teller knew what you were hiding.
>Speck would hate you if she found out, especially since you've been covering it up the whole time you've known her.
>You told her stories from before you came to Equestria.
>You told her all about the amazing things that you did, and all the people you helped.
>She looked up to you.
>And that made you happy.
>Happier than you ever were on Earth.
>You pay for your train tickets and get on board.
>You sit alone with Speck near the back of one of the cars.
>She still slept in your arms, and you weren't going to let her go.
>The train begins to move, your journey to Hollow Shades continuing.
>You turn yourself in your seat to lay your legs across it.
>You propped your bag against the wall of the train and rest your back against it.
>Speck stirs a little, moving her head from your neck to your chest, resting her chin against your sternum.
>She slowly opens her eyes, smiling as she sees you.
>"Hi, Anon."
>You smile and press your nose to hers.
"Hello sleepyhead. Sleep well?"
>She does her best to nod.
>You scratch her back, which causes her to stretch along your body.
>She uses this as an opportunity to hold your head and kiss you.
>Your fingers trail up her back teasingly, finally settling into her mane as you return her kiss.
>The little bat p0ny wriggles against you, covering your body with her wings as best as she can.
>"If you wanna go to sleep, I'll wake you when we get to Hollow Shades."
>You nod and hug her close.
>She hugs you back as you close your eyes.

>The train ride was absolutely boring, especially since Anon went to sleep.
>But you felt bad that he didn't get to sleep as long as you did.
>It didn't matter much, you were in Hollow Shades' train station right now.
>Anon followed you as you led him outside.
>"So, what do you want to do first?"
>You think to yourself.
>There was a lot you wanted to do.
>You wanted to take Anon to all of your favorite shops and restaurants.
>You wanted to take him to meet your dad and your mom.
>You wanted him to see the sun set over Neighagra Falls.
>Oh, that was one of the most beautiful things you'd ever seen.
>The sun reflected so beautifully off of the falls, and for a few minutes every night, the entirety of Hollow Shades bathed in its light.
"I want you to meet my dad first, but I want to stop by my old house."
>You look up at him, smiling widely.
>He smirks and ruffles your mane.
>You bat his hand away with a hoof and roll your eyes.
>You know your dad would be proud that you found someone to call your own.
>He was always very supportive of everything you did.
>You lead Anon into the village, and head towards the east end of town.
>He keeps trying to stop you at various shops and restaurants, but you don't want to wait to see your dad again.
>It's been almost three years since you last saw him.
>You finally stop in front of a small house.
>It was just large enough for a family of three.
>It was a good house.

>You push the door open and walk inside.
>Your parents never locked the door.
>They were always very welcoming of any p0ny that would visit.
>You look around and take in an air of nostalgia.
>"It's kind of nice in here."
>He looks at photographs of your family that hang on the walls.
>You head upstairs and bank right with Anon in tow..
>You walk into a very large room.
>Bricks line the walls, a large oven sits in the corner, and a small desk with a hammer and chisel sits in front of a window.
>You smile to yourself, walking over to the desk.
>You place a hoof on the hammer and chisel.
>A small package catches your eye.
>Anon stands beside you and picks the package up.
>"Hey Speck. Isn't this the kind of package you keep getting?"
>You nod and smile widely.
"Daddy's been sending me bricks, ever since I left home."
>"So that's why you have a room full of them?"
>You snicker and nuzzle Anon's side.
"They always reminded me of home."
>He hands you the package and you open it.
>Another perfectly crafted brick.
"Though, I've been meaning to get rid of them."
>"Why?"
>You look up at him as you start to leave the room.
"Because, I have a new home to fill with new memories and experiences."
>He kneels in front of you and hugs you tight around the neck.
>You hug him back and nuzzle his cheek.
"Come on, I want you to meet him."

>You and your bat p0ny traveled to a decently sized clearing with few trees just outside the east end of town.
>And beneath one tree, the both of you sit.
>In front of you rests a small headstone.
>There's a hammer and chisel engraved into it.
>You assumed that was his cutiemark.
>Your hand rests on Speck's shoulder.
>She hasn't said a word since you left the house.
>"Hey, Daddy."
>She smiles softly.
>"I came by to see you. It's only been three years."
>You cover your mouth and look away.
>Your heart can't handle this.
>You saw movies back on Earth with stuff like this and you never cried.
>But being here?
>Being part of that cliche scene?
>It hurt.
>You stroke Speck's mane and give her a light kiss on her temple.
"I'll leave you alone with him."
>She nods as you stand and head back into town.

>Your return to town is met with the curiosity of several bat p0nies.
>It was starting to get late in the afternoon.
>They must be waking up and coming out to start their nights.
>"What's your name?"
>"What are you?"
>"I've never seen you before, where are you from?"
>You answered their questions as you walked through town.
>They followed you until you reached Speck's home.
>One of the females speaks up before you open the door.
>"Do you have a mate?"
>You pause, completely shocked.
>You turn and stare at her.
>She's blushing vividly.
"Kind of?"
>She tilts her head to the side.
>"Kind of? What is that supposed to mean?"
>You notice her accent.
>It's extremely subtle.
>And sounds like those old Dracula movies from Earth.
>"So?"
>You shrug and back into the door.
"I'm kind of seeing somebody already?"
>"Oh. Well then. I'll see you around then, bye!"
>She flies off.
>Wow, and you thought Speck was crazy.
>That mare was absolutely [spoiler]batty[/spoiler].
"Speck please. Get out of my head."
>You sigh and enter the house.
>You wander into the living room, looking at all of the pictures of Speck and her parents while you wait for her to come back from her dad's grave.
>What was he like?
>Would he have liked you?
"You have an amazing daughter, sir."
>You sit down on the couch and slump down.
>This was actually pretty hard hitting.
>But you can't even fathom what Speck is going through.

>You are now Speck.
>You walk through town, heading home.
>When you arrive, you are met with a peculiar sight.
>There is a mare sitting in front of the window.
"Excuse me, can I help you?"
>She perks up and turns to you, smiling.
>Her sharp fangs glint in the light of the late afternoon sun.
>"Yes, do you know who lives here?"
>You furrow your brow and cautiously approach her.
"I do, why?"
>"Oh. No reason, I was just curious."
>She snickers and flies away.
>That was... strange, to say the least.
>You look through the window, into the living room.
>Anon is asleep on the couch.
>Was she watching him?
>You were going to have to be on the look out for that creepy mare.
>You push the front door open and step inside.
>Trotting to the living room, you start to sneak up on Anon.
>You sit in front of him on the floor, aligning your face with his.
"Anon wake up."
>He doesn't stir.
>You lean forward and press your lips to his.
>He shifts a little, cracking his eyes open slightly.
>He smiles against your lips and pulls you up onto the couch.
>You wiggle against him.
"Come on Anon, we have to go see my mom."
>"Oh! Right!"
>You snicker and jump off of him, dashing to the door.
>He runs after you, trying to catch you and pick you up.
>You will not give him that satisfaction.
>You fly up into the air as soon as you step outside.
>He dives at you and narrowly misses your tail.
"You'll have to be faster than that!"
>He chuckles as you start flying toward the west side of town.
>He chases you all the way there.

>You are now Anon.
>You sit at the side of a hospital bed.
>The beeping of a life monitor alerts you that the p0ny laying in the bed is still alive.
>It's a slow and weak beeping.
>Speck lays in the bed.
>Her mother is holding her close, stroking her mane and smiling.
>"I'm glad you came to visit, Speck."
>Her voice is not dissimilar to a choir of angels.
>"I am too, mom. Three years is too long to be away."
>Her mother looks up at you and smiles.
>"And this dashing creature must be Anon."
"Yes, ma'am."
>She hums softly and reaches for your hand.
>"How long have you known my Speck?"
>You hold her hoof and she smiles warmly, humming again.
"A little over a month, ma'am."
>"Please stop calling me ma'am. My name is Angel Tear."
>You apologize, she presses her hoof into your hand.
>She looks down at Speck and smiles.
>"Have you told Anon about the Angels?"
>You speak up before Speck can.
"No, she hasn't."
>Speck looks up at you, curious.
>Angel Tear chuckles weakly.
>"Well. A long, long time ago, when p0nies were still in their infancy. There was a race of beings that held the p0nies' hooves and guided them. The Angels loved the p0nies, and the p0nies loved the Angels. The Angels worked hard to protect this infant race, to guard them, to keep them safe."
>She coughs before continuing.
>"The Angels helped the p0nies to cultivate the lands, to settle their villages, and to live in peace and harmony."
>You squeeze her hoof as tears well up in her eyes.
>"I'm sure you've heard the Hearth's Warming Eve stories. Of the pegasi, unicorns, and earth p0nies fighting. They say those events occurred not long after the Angels left."
>She smiles warmly at you.
>She has a knowing look on her face.
>"They say that there are still Angels walking our lands."
>Speck had fallen asleep during the story.
>Her mother chuckles and kisses her daughter's forehead.
>"That always was her favorite story as a filly. It always put her right to sleep."
>She looks back up at you.
>"Do you believe in Angels, Anon?"
"Yeah."
>She smiles and moves her hoof up your arm, pulling it close and hugging it.
>"You're doing well to protect my Speck. Please, keep her safe."
"I will."
>She smiles and closes her eyes.
>You hear the faintest whisper escape her lips.
>"I always knew the Angels were real."
>The life monitor lets out a long beep.
>Angel Tear's chest stops rising with her breaths.
>You didn't hear anything.
>Speck woke slowly and snuggled against her mother's body.
>She soaked her fur with tears.

>Doctors had rushed into the room shortly after the monitor went off.
>There was nothing they could do, and they knew it.
>You left the room.
>Speck wasn't going to leave her mother's side any time soon, and you didn't want to stand in the doctors' way.
>She was without family now.
>You know that feeling a little too well.
>You considered all of your friends and family to be dead once you arrived in this world.
>The only difference was, you didn't cry.
>You didn't mourn.
>You just carried on.
>Speck walks out of the room, still crying.
>Kneeling down, you pull her into a hug and she sobs into your chest.
>You rub her back and hold her tight.
"I'm sorry Speck."
>To your surprise, she starts to snicker.
>You look down at her, absolutely shocked.
>"D-don't be, Anon... She always said she wouldn't let go until she met an Angel."
>Her face beams through the tears.
>She didn't say anything.
>She didn't have to.
>As much as she talked about those stories and the way she looked at you.
>You pick her up and she hugs you tight around the neck.
"Let's go get something to eat. I don't think she would've wanted you crying for very long."
>Speck nods and wipes her tears on your shirt.

>Day Don't Fear (The Reaper) in Hollow Shades.
>Two days had passed since Speck's mom died.
>She took it hard.
>It was hard to get her up in the mornings.
>She would hardly eat.
>She was unfocused on most activities.
>So you took care of her.
>The funeral was yesterday.
>It was your typical fare.
>Lots of crying, p0nies hugging and consoling each other, the burial.
>And then there was Speck.
>She howled and cried through the whole thing.
>You felt your heart shatter every time she sobbed or buried her face in your chest.
>It was painful for you, but it was murder for her.
>Today, you sat under the tree in the clearing where her father was buried.
>And next to it, a fresh grave.
>There was a heart with feathery wings engraved into it.
>Angel Tear's cutiemark.
>It was sunny out.
>The entire clearing was bright and glowing.
>Speck lay in your lap, staring blankly at the graves.
>You stroked her back as the two of you basked in the warm sunlight.
>The fortune teller's words flowed through your mind.
>Speck's happiness, joy, and love?
>So far, check.
>Your happiness, joy, and love?
>Check.
>Your conflict?
>You knew that was how you felt about Speck kissing you.
>Resolved.
>The fear in your soul?
>That Speck would hate you if she found out what you were hiding?
>Your claim to have been a hero before your came to Equestria?
>Unresolved.
>What Speck believes the most being true?
>If it was what you think it was.
>If it was that you were an Angel, a hero.
>Then no, that was wrong.

>All that left was your pain and loss.
>But why was that directed at you, and not Speck?
>She just lost her mother.
>What could cause you to feel pain and loss in this world?
>You had few friends, few belongings.
>Nothing tied you here.
>Except...
>You look down at your bat p0ny.
>She smiles up at you, sitting up to give you a quick peck on the lips.
>The fortune teller's words shriek in your mind.
>"Speck will perish in a great battle. You will not be able to stop it."
>You feel your mind, heart, and soul shatter.
>The earth rumbles around you and you sit wide-eyed and unmoving.
>You can't bring yourself to get up.
>You can't bring yourself to pick your p0ny up and hide.
>You just sit and wait.